Shay Mitchell is already raising her 8-month-old daughter to be an activist
As they say, teach ’em young. Shay Mitchell is doing just that with her 8-month-old daughter Atlas. Mitchell and boyfriend Matte Babel are raising baby Atlas to become an activist when she grows up, and there’s no time like the present to begin teaching your kids about how to stay angry, stay involved, and push for change.
“We’re reading books, one of her nighttime books is A Is for Activist,” Mitchell told Entertainment Tonight in a June 22nd interview. “We’re starting her right now because I think it’s so important to educate them at a young age so they know that truly no matter what you look like, you deserve to love and be loved without judgment, be all and end all and that’s it. Especially coming from a mixed family herself.”
She continued, “I hope it’s in our generation and I really pray that it’s in hers as well that there will be a huge change and I slowly see it right now.”
In a June 1st Instagram photo of Babel holding Atlas, Mitchell wrote “I am hopeful that the next generation will abandon the prejudices of the past, and embrace and accept people based on who they are, versus the colour of their skin. Black or White. It doesn’t matter.
“All she sees are people who love her. Racism is a learned behavior. It starts and stops at home,” she reminded her followers.
Not only is Atlas going to be an advocate for equality, but she’ll also preach the gospel of good hygiene. Mitchell, who partnered with the Safeguard initiative to promote healthy hand-washing routines for kids, says that Atlas’s nighttime routine starts with hand washing.
“She’s touching everything, putting everything in her mouth, so you want to start them as early as possible,” the Pretty Little Liars told ET. “It’s part of the time she goes to bed, we’re like, ‘It’s time to wash your hands.’ I sing ‘Happy Birthday’ twice over. I may or may not do a little dance, it’s a whole routine, but she’s certainly laughing the whole time, and it’s definitely something she’ll look back on, hopefully with fond memories.”
We are so ready for Atlas the activist to lead us into a brighter future. Bring it on.